The new name for hot jazz
The new name for hot jazz
Star jazz trombonist, impresario, entrepreneur and friend of the agency, Dave Lalljee, asked Undivided to come up with a name for his new band. Dave had brought together a super-talented New Orleans-style line-up, with a high-energy, foot-tapping take on the classic tunes of jazz pioneers like Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden and Bessie Smith.
When it comes to brand naming, everyone knows there’s nothing better than band naming. It’s the ultimate creative brief, where words are set free to create a bit of impact, stick in the mind and sum up a good time. A band name can be all about tone, style and feel, but that doesn’t mean it has to be meaningless. We were determined to give Dave and his band a name with a mix of wit and heritage, something that could speak to their mad cap energy but also tap into their deep and soulful musical roots.
We loved the word doolally. It says irreverent, bonkers and a bit unhinged but in strange old-school style. It felt spot on for their fresh take on trad jazz. A bit of research sealed the deal. The word is a contraction of a phrase coined in 19th Century India. British soldiers on their way home would be stationed in a transit camp and sanitorium in a place called Deolali near Mumbai. It was hot and cramped and developed a reputation for sending people stir crazy. The original phrase was Doolally Tap which, according to Wikipedia, loosely translates as camp fever.
Dave is half Indian, so the back story really worked for him. Using the full phrase made for a more distinctive name and the word ‘Tap’ added a touch of dance and rhythm. Underneath the surface there was also something more subtle and melancholy about the history of the phrase that seemed to chime with the birth of jazz.
Today, Doolally Tap is one of the best, and best known, New Orleans jazz bands in the country. We like to think the name has played its part. If you’re looking for an amazing, high energy, life affirming experience or go and see them.
You can book them here
